RE: One good question deserves.....

campingboaters · Sep 29, 2003, 02:49 PM

slowpezThey need to be the same size. Your trailer was made with a specific tire size in mind for it s size and weight capacity. A larger tire may not fit in the wheel well while a smaller tire will not have the weight capacity that it needs. Not to mention the trailer would be lop-sided until you replaced the spare with the regular tire.

Hope this helps.

tlhdoc · Sep 29, 2003, 06:55 PM

slowpezYou should stick with the original size tire, unless you are willing to do some mods. I can understand wanting to go bigger, but I can t think of a reason that I would want a smaller tire on the trailer.[&:]

jstaddwtr · Sep 29, 2003, 08:54 PM

slowpezI agree with Tracy and the others......most people would want to go bigger, not smaller, but in either case, you should not vary from the manufacturers recommendations.

mike4947 · Sep 29, 2003, 09:02 PM

slowpezSusan, mismatching tires on an axle is always a bad idea. Since the trailer has only one axle both tires need to be the same size. Since the spare will (hopefully not for a long time) need to go on the axle it needs to be the same size as the tires already there.
We ve had several cases over the years where someone has changed tire sizes on a trailer and in the hopes of saving a few bucks not replaced the spare along with the tires on the ground. Every time one of those off size spares needed to be used there was a problem. Such as the trailer dog tracking (trying to run at an angle) or having trailer try to go sideways when they need to brake heavy.

Ab Diver · Sep 29, 2003, 10:42 PM

slowpezSusan, in addition to the reasons already given you, here s a couple more NOT to use a different size spare:

A 14" tire won t fit under your Coleman without a Dexter Over/Under kit, and even then you ll probably have to notch the edge of the stepper door so it will clear the tire when the door is lowered. (piece of cake) Trust me on this one. [

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A 12" tire will NOT have the load carrying capacity you need for your trailer. Your 13" Duro tires are rated at 1660 lbs @ 65 psi. There just ain t no such animal in the 12" size.

course, you could always bolt on a Dexter O/U kit for $25, buy 3 new 14" tires/wheels that have puh-len-tee of carrying capacity and can be bought just about anywhere, and never have to worry about trying to find a Duro Tire again....... Nah, nobody s ever done that. [

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slowpez · Sep 30, 2003, 10:08 AM

slowpez

QuoteYour 13" Duro tires are rated at 1660 lbs @ 65 psi.

Ab Diver, you and several others have mentioned the psi rating on the 13" duro - the sidewall says to use 50 psi and this is what we have been doing. Coleman says to use 65 but we use the tire manufacturer s recommendation - is this a no-no?

PS, you can tell our camping season is getting underway in earnest as I am bringing out all my dumb questions.[

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Ab Diver · Sep 30, 2003, 10:48 AM

slowpezSusan... gotta run to work, but a quick question: what s the *weight rating* (max load) of your current tires? Take a look, then match them up here:

http://www.durotire.com/trailertires.html

Let us know, cuz it s " possible" you have 13" tires under your needed capacity.

slowpez · Sep 30, 2003, 01:44 PM

slowpez

Quotewhat s the *weight rating* (max load) of your current tires?

Ab Diver - I m going to start a new thread on this one because now I am totally confused.
Susan

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